Gemcitabine and Carboplatin Treatment in Advanced NSCLC: A Retrospective Evaluation Including Elderly Patients

Abstract

Background Carboplatin-containing regimens are sometimes preferred for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods Eighty-three patients with stage III-IV non-small cell lung cancer received 3 to 4 cycles of carboplatin AUC 5 on day 2 and gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 21 days. Results The overall response rate was 43.4%. Results obtained from elderly and non-elderly groups were compared using the logrank method. Median overall survival and progression-free survival were 11 and 7 months, respectively (12 and 7 months, non-elderly group; 6.5 and 5 months, elderly group, P = 0.28 and 0.25 respectively). Grade 3–4 toxicity included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. Incidences of grade 3–4 toxicity were similar for elderly and non-elderly patients. Conclusions Data confirm that carboplatin-gemcitabine is an active and well-tolerated regimen in advanced non-small cell lung cancer and could be investigated in elderly patients.